Evolutionary-model
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Jadera haematoloma
red-shouldered bug, goldenrain-tree bug, soapberry bug
Jadera haematoloma is a true bug in the family Rhopalidae, commonly known as the red-shouldered bug, goldenrain-tree bug, or soapberry bug. It feeds on seeds of plants in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae) and has become a classic model organism for studying rapid evolutionary adaptation to novel hosts. The species is notable for documented cases of contemporary evolution, including changes in beak length and life history traits following host shifts to introduced plants. It is frequently mistaken for boxelder bugs (Boisea spp.) due to similar coloration and habits.